CHESS SCOTLAND

www.ChessScotland.com

CHESS SCOTLAND

RULES BOOK

(includes 2014 FIDE Laws of Chess)

Price £3.00

(Chess Scotland members £2.00)

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Chess Scotland

RULES BOOK

Introduction

Welcome to this rules book. Chess Scotland publishes sets of rules to govern the administration

of its tournaments and to assist in the conduct of other organised chess events in Scotland.

This book includes the full text of the FIDE Laws of Chess (2014 Revision) and is planned to

have a three or four year life of validity to correspond with the cycle of Laws revision.

Please note particularly the section Comments for Arbiters and Players on 2014 Laws (page 32)

which contains important information on default procedures which have been agreed for all

events in Britain which do not state otherwise on their entry forms. Congress and League

organisers should take note of this and ensure that their rules are consistent. The main issues

relate to default time for late arrival, Quick Play finish and mobile phones.

Responsibility for development and updating of these rules (including comments to FIDE on the

draft of the Laws - and many of our suggestions have been included in the revised version) rests

with the Technical Director and the Arbiters’ Committee. Any questions or suggestions should

be directed to them.

To minimise the size of this book, a number of rules (especially those liable to more frequent

change) have been omitted from the paper version. The contents of this book and many of these

other rules are available on the Chess Scotland website www.ChessScotland.com

Throughout these rules (as with the Laws of Chess) the words ‘he’, ‘him’ and ‘his’ are used

indiscriminately to include ‘she’ and ‘her’.

Contents Page

FIDE Laws of Chess 3

Advice on Implementation of Default Options, etc 32

Chess Scotland Advice to Players and Arbiters on Interpretation of Laws 33

Notation of Positions 33

Chess Scotland Guidelines on Quickplay Finishes 33

Chess Scotland Swiss Pairing Rules 35

All Play All Pairings 40

Jamboree Pairings 41

June 2014

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FIDE LAWS OF CHESS

INTRODUCTION

FIDE Laws of Chess cover over-the-board play.

The Laws of Chess have two parts: 1. Basic Rules of Play and 2. Competition Rules.

The English text is the authentic version of the Laws of Chess (which was adopted at the 84th

FIDE Congress at Tallinn (Estonia) coming into force on 1 July 2014.

In these Laws the words ‘he’, ‘him’, and ‘his’ shall be considered to include ‘she’ and ‘her’.

PREFACE

The Laws of Chess cannot cover all possible situations that may arise during a game, nor can

they regulate all administrative questions. Where cases are not precisely regulated by an Article

of the Laws, it should be possible to reach a correct decision by studying analogous situations

which are regulated in the Laws. The Laws assume that arbiters have the necessary competence,

sound judgement and absolute objectivity. Too detailed a rule might deprive the arbiter of his

freedom of judgement and thus prevent him from finding a solution to a problem dictated by

fairness, logic and special factors. FIDE appeals to all chess players and federations to accept

this view.

A necessary condition for a game to be rated by FIDE is that it shall be played according to the

FIDE Laws of Chess.

It is recommended that competitive games not rated by FIDE be played according to the FIDE

Laws of Chess.

Member federations may ask FIDE to give a ruling on matters relating to the Laws of Chess.

BASIC RULES OF PLAY

Article 1: The nature and objectives of the game of chess

1.1 The game of chess is played between two opponents who move their pieces on a square

board called a ‘chessboard’. The player with the light-coloured pieces (White) makes

the first move, then the players move alternately, with the player with the dark-coloured

pieces (Black) making the next move. A player is said to ‘have the move’ when his

opponent’s move has been ‘made’.

1.2 The objective of each player is to place the opponent’s king ‘under attack’ in such a way

that the opponent has no legal move. The player who achieves this goal is said to have

‘checkmated’ the opponent’s king and to have won the game. Leaving one’s own king

under attack, exposing one’s own king to attack and also ’capturing’ the opponent’s king

are not allowed. The opponent whose king has been checkmated has lost the game.

1.3 If the position is such that neither player can possibly checkmate the opponent’s king, the

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game is drawn (see Article 5.2 b).

Article 2: The initial position of the pieces on the chessboard

2.1 The chessboard is composed of an 8 x 8 grid of 64 equal squares alternately light (the

‘white’ squares) and dark (the ‘black’ squares).

The chessboard is placed between the players in such a way that the near corner square to

the right of the player is white.

2.2 At the beginning of the game White has 16 light-coloured pieces (the ‘white’ pieces);

Black has 16 dark-coloured pieces (the ‘black’ pieces).

These pieces are as follows:

A white king usually indicated by the symbol K

A white queen usually indicated by the symbol Q

Two white rooks usually indicated by the symbol R

Two white bishops usually indicated by the symbol B

Two white knights usually indicated by the symbol N

Eight white pawns usually indicated by the symbol

A black king usually indicated by the symbol K

A black queen usually indicated by the symbol Q

Two black rooks usually indicated by the symbol R

Two black bishops usually indicated by the symbol B

Two black knights usually indicated by the symbol N

Eight black pawns usually indicated by the symbol

Staunton Pieces

p Q K B N R

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2.3 The initial position of the pieces on the chessboard is as follows:

2.4 The eight vertical columns of squares are called ‘files’. The eight horizontal rows of

squares are called ‘ranks’. A straight line of squares of the same colour, running from

one edge of the board to an adjacent edge, is called a ‘diagonal’.

Article 3: The moves of the pieces

3.1 It is not permitted to move a piece to a square occupied by a piece of the same colour. If a

piece moves to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece the latter is captured and

removed from the chessboard as part of the same move. A piece is said to attack an

opponent’s piece if the piece could make a capture on that square according to Articles

3.2 to 3.8.

A piece is considered to attack a square even if this piece is constrained from moving to

that square because it would then leave or place the king of its own colour under attack.

3.2 The bishop may move to any square along a diagonal on which it stands.

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3.3 The rook may move to any square along the file or the rank on which it stands.

3.4 The queen may move to any square along the file, the rank or a diagonal on which it

stands.

3.5 When making these moves, the bishop, rook or queen may not move over any intervening

pieces.

3.6 The knight may move to one of the squares nearest to that on which it stands but not on

the same rank, file or diagonal.

3.7 a. The pawn may move forward to the square immediately in front of it on the same

file, provided that this square is unoccupied, or

b. on its first move the pawn may move as in 3.7.a or alternatively it may advance

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two squares along the same file, provided that both squares are unoccupied, or

c. the pawn may move to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece diagonally in

front of it on an adjacent file, capturing that piece.

d. A pawn occupying a square on the same rank as and on an adjacent file to an

opponent’s pawn which has just advanced two squares in one move from its

original square may capture this opponent’s pawn as though the latter had been

moved only one square. This capture is only legal on the move following this

advance and is called an ‘en passant’ capture.

e. When a player, having the move, plays a pawn to the rank furthest from its

starting position, he must exchange that pawn as part of the same move for a new

queen, rook, bishop or knight of the same colour on the intended square of arrival.

This is called the square of ‘promotion’. The player's choice is not restricted to

pieces that have been captured previously. This exchange of a pawn for another

piece is called promotion, and the effect of the new piece is immediate.

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3.8 There are two different ways of moving the king:

a. by moving to an adjoining square

b. by ‘castling’. This is a move of the king and either rook of the same colour along

the player’s first rank, counting as a single move of the king and executed as

follows: the king is transferred from its original square two squares towards the

rook on its original square, then that rook is transferred to the square the king has

just crossed.

Before white kingside castling After white kingside castling

Before black queenside castling After black queenside castling

Before white queenside castling After white queenside castling

Before black kingside castling After black kingside castling

(1) The right to castle has been lost:

[a] if the king has already moved, or

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[b] with a rook that has already moved.

(2) Castling is prevented temporarily:

[a] if the square on which the king stands, or the square which

it must cross, or the square which it is to occupy, is

attacked by one or more of the opponent's pieces, or

[b] if there is any piece between the king and the rook with

which castling is to be effected.

3.9 The king is said to be 'in check' if it is attacked by one or more of the opponent's pieces,

even if such pieces are constrained from moving to the square occupied by the king

because they would then leave or place their own king in check. No piece can be moved

that will either expose the king of the same colour to check or leave that king in check.

3.10 a. A move is legal when all the relevant requirements of Articles 3.1 – 3.9 have

been fulfilled.

b. A move is illegal when it fails to meet the relevant requirements of Articles 3.1 –

3.9

c. A position is illegal when it cannot have been reached by any series of legal

moves.

Article 4: The act of moving the pieces

4.1 Each move must be made with one hand only.

4.2 Provided that he first expresses his intention (for example by saying “j’adoube” or “I

adjust”), only the player having the move may adjust one or more pieces on their

squares.

4.3 Except as provided in Article 4.2, if the player having the move touches on the

chessboard, with the intention of moving or capturing:

a. one or more of his own pieces, he must move the first piece touched that can be

moved

b. one or more of his opponent’s pieces, he must capture the first piece touched that

can be captured

c. one piece of each colour, he must capture the opponent’s piece with his piece or,

if this is illegal, move or capture the first piece touched that can be moved or

captured. If it is unclear whether the player’s own piece or his opponent’s was

touched first, the player’s own piece shall be considered to have been touched

before his opponent’s.

4.4 If a player having the move:

a. touches his king and a rook he must castle on that side if it is legal to do so

b. deliberately touches a rook and then his king he is not allowed to castle on that

side on that move and the situation shall be governed by Article 4.3.a

c. intending to castle, touches the king and then a rook, but castling with this rook is

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illegal, the player must make another legal move with his king (which may

include castling with the other rook). If the king has no legal move, the player is

free to make any legal move.

d. promotes a pawn, the choice of the piece is finalised when the piece has touched

the square of promotion.

4.5 If none of the pieces touched in accordance with Article 4.3 or Article 4.4 can be moved

or captured, the player may make any legal move.

4.6 The act of promotion may be performed in various ways:

1. the pawn does not have to be placed on the square of arrival,

2. removing the pawn and putting the new piece on the square of promotion may

occur in any order.

If an opponent’s piece stands on the square of promotion, it must be captured.

4.7 When, as a legal move or part of a legal move, a piece has been released on a square, it

cannot be moved to another square on this move. The move is considered to have been

made in the case of:

a. a capture, when the captured piece has been removed from the chessboard and the

player, having placed his own piece on its new square, has released this capturing

piece from his hand.

b. castling, when the player's hand has released the rook on the square previously

crossed by the king. When the player has released the king from his hand, the

move is not yet made, but the player no longer has the right to make any move

other than castling on that side, if this is legal. If castling on this side is illegal, the

player must make another legal move with his king (which may include castling

with the other rook). If the king has no legal move, the player is free to make any

legal move.

c. promotion, when the player's hand has released the new piece on the square of

promotion and the pawn has been removed from the board.

4.8 A player forfeits his right to claim against his opponent’s violation of Articles 4.1 – 4.7

once the player touches a piece with the intention of moving or capturing it.

4.9. If a player is unable to move the pieces, an assistant, who shall be acceptable to the

arbiter, may be provided by the player to perform this operation.

Article 5: The completion of the game

5.1 a. The game is won by the player who has checkmated his opponent’s king. This

immediately ends the game, provided that the move producing the checkmate

position was in accordance with Article 3 and Articles 4.2 – 4.7.

b. The game is won by the player whose opponent declares he resigns. This

immediately ends the game.

5.2 a. The game is drawn when the player to move has no legal move and his king is not

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in check. The game is said to end in ‘stalemate’. This immediately ends the game,

provided that the move producing the stalemate position was in accordance with

Article 3 and Articles 4.2 – 4.7.

b. The game is drawn when a position has arisen in which neither player can

checkmate the opponent’s king with any series of legal moves. The game is said

to

end in a ‘dead position’. This immediately ends the game, provided that the move

producing the position was in accordance with Article 3 and Articles 4.2 – 4.7.

c. The game is drawn upon agreement between the two players during the game.

This immediately ends the game.

d. The game may be drawn if an identical position is about to appear or has appeared

on the chessboard at least three times (see Article 9.2).

e. The game may be drawn if each player has made at least the last 50 moves

without the movement of any pawn and without any capture (see Article 9.3).

COMPETITION RULES

Article 6: The chessclock

6.1 ‘Chessclock’ means a clock with two time displays, connected to each other in such a

way that only one of them can run at one time.

‘Clock’ in the Laws of Chess means one of the two time displays.

Each time display has a ‘flag’.

‘Flag-fall’ means the expiration of the allotted time for a player.

6.2 a. During the game each player, having made his move on the chessboard, shall stop

his own clock and start his opponent’s clock (that is to say, he shall press his

clock). This “completes” the move. A move is also completed if:

(1) the move ends the game (see Articles 5.1.a, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.2.c, 9.6a, 9.6b

and 9.7), or

(2) the player has made his next move, in case his previous move was not

completed.

A player must be allowed to stop his clock after making his move, even after the

opponent has made his next move. The time between making the move on the

chessboard and pressing the clock is regarded as part of the time allotted to the

player.

b. A player must press his clock with the same hand with which he made his move.

It is forbidden for a player to keep his finger on the clock or to ‘hover’ over it.

c. The players must handle the chessclock properly. It is forbidden to press it

forcibly, to pick it up, to press the clock before moving or to knock it over.

Improper clock handling shall be penalised in accordance with Article 12.9.

d. Only the player whose clock is running is allowed to adjust the pieces.

e. If a player is unable to use the clock, an assistant, who must be acceptable to the

arbiter, may be provided by the player to perform this operation. His clock shall

be adjusted by the arbiter in an equitable way. This adjustment of the clock shall

not apply to the clock of a player with a disability.

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6.3 a. When using a chessclock, each player must complete a minimum number of

moves or all moves in an allotted period of time and/or may be allocated an

additional amount of time with each move. All these must be specified in advance.

b. The time saved by a player during one period is added to his time available for the

next period, where applicable.

In the time-delay mode both players receive an allotted ‘main thinking time’.

Each player also receives a ‘fixed extra time’ with every move. The countdown of

the main thinking time only commences after the fixed extra time has expired.

Provided the player presses his clock before the expiration of the fixed extra time,

the main thinking time does not change, irrespective of the proportion of the fixed

extra time used.

6.4 Immediately after a flag falls, the requirements of Article 6.3 a. must be checked.

6.5 Before the start of the game the arbiter shall decide where the chessclock is placed.

6.6 At the time determined for the start of the game White’s clock is started.

6.7 a. The rules of a competition shall specify in advance a default time. Any player

who arrives at the chessboard after the default time shall lose the game unless the

arbiter decides otherwise.

b. If the rules of a competition specify that the default time is not zero and if neither

player is present initially, White shall lose all the time that elapses until he arrives,

unless the rules of the competition specify or the arbiter decides otherwise.

6.8 A flag is considered to have fallen when the arbiter observes the fact or when either

player has made a valid claim to that effect.

6.9 Except where one of Articles 5.1.a, 5.1.b, 5.2.a, 5.2.b, 5.2.c applies, if a player does not

complete the prescribed number of moves in the allotted time, the game is lost by that

player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot

checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves.

6.10 a. Every indication given by the chessclock is considered to be conclusive in the

absence of any evident defect. A chessclock with an evident defect shall be

replaced by the arbiter, who shall use his best judgement when determining the

times to be shown on the replacement chessclock.

b. If during a game it is found that the setting of either or both clocks is incorrect,

either player or the arbiter shall stop the chessclock immediately. The arbiter shall

install the correct setting and adjust the times and move-counter, if necessary. He

shall use his best judgement when determining the clock settings.

6.11 If both flags have fallen and it is impossible to establish which flag fell first then:

a. the game shall continue if this occurs in any period of the game except the last

period.

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b. the game is drawn if this occurs in the period of a game in which all remaining

moves must be completed.

6.12 a. If the game needs to be interrupted, the arbiter shall stop the chessclock.

b. A player may stop the chessclock only in order to seek the arbiter’s assistance, for

example when promotion has taken place and the piece required is not available.

c. The arbiter shall decide when the game restarts.

d. If a player stops the chessclock in order to seek the arbiter’s assistance, the arbiter

shall determine whether the player had any valid reason for doing so. If the player

had no valid reason for stopping the chessclock, the player shall be penalised in

accordance with Article 12.9.

6.13 Screens, monitors, or demonstration boards showing the current position on the

chessboard, the moves and the number of moves made/completed, and clocks which

also show the number of moves, are allowed in the playing hall. However, the player

may not make a claim relying only on information shown in this manner.

Article 7: Irregularities

7.1 If an irregularity occurs and the pieces have to be restored to a previous position, the

arbiter shall use his best judgement to determine the times to be shown on the

chessclock. This includes the right not to change the clock times. He shall also, if

necessary, adjust the clock’s move-counter.

7.2 a. If during a game it is found that the initial position of the pieces was incorrect, the

game shall be cancelled and a new game shall be played.

b. If during a game it is found that the chessboard has been placed contrary to

Article 2.1, the game shall continue but the position reached must be transferred

to a correctly placed chessboard.

7.3 If a game has begun with colours reversed then it shall continue, unless the arbiter rules

otherwise.

7.4 If a player displaces one or more pieces, he shall re-establish the correct position in his

own time. If necessary, either the player or his opponent shall stop the chessclock and

ask for the arbiter’s assistance. The arbiter may penalise the player who displaced the

pieces.

7.5 a. If during a game it is found that an illegal move has been completed, the position

immediately before the irregularity shall be reinstated. If the position immediately

before the irregularity cannot be determined, the game shall continue from the last

identifiable position prior to the irregularity. Articles 4.3 and 4.7 apply to the

move replacing the illegal move. The game shall then continue from this

reinstated position.

If the player has moved a pawn to the furthest distant rank, pressed the clock, but

not replaced the pawn with a new piece, the move is illegal. The pawn shall be

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replaced by a queen of the same colour as the pawn.

b. After the action taken under Article 7.5.a, for the first completed illegal move by

a player the arbiter shall give two minutes extra time to his opponent; for the

second completed illegal move by the same player the arbiter shall declare the

game lost by this player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that

the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal

moves.

7.6 If, during a game, it is found that any piece has been displaced from its correct square the

position before the irregularity shall be reinstated. If the position immediately before the

irregularity cannot be determined, the game shall continue from the last identifiable

position prior to the irregularity. The game shall then continue from this reinstated

position.

Article 8: The recording of the moves

8.1 a. In the course of play each player is required to record his own moves and those of

his opponent in the correct manner, move after move, as clearly and legibly as

possible, in the algebraic notation (Appendix C), on the ‘scoresheet’ prescribed

for the competition. It is forbidden to write the moves in advance, unless the

player is claiming a draw according to Article 9.2, or 9.3 or adjourning a game

according to Appendix E.1 a.

b. The scoresheet shall be used only for recording the moves, the times of the clocks,

offers of a draw, matters relating to a claim and other relevant data.

c. A player may reply to his opponent’s move before recording it, if he so wishes.

He must record his previous move before making another.

d. Both players must record the offer of a draw on the scoresheet with a symbol (=).

e. If a player is unable to keep score, an assistant, who must be acceptable to the

arbiter, may be provided by the player to write the moves. His clock shall be

adjusted by the arbiter in an equitable way. This adjustment of the clock shall not

apply to a player with a disability.

8.2 The scoresheet shall be visible to the arbiter throughout the game.

8.3 The scoresheets are the property of the organiser of the competition.

8.4 If a player has less than five minutes left on his clock at some stage in a period and does

not have additional time of 30 seconds or more added with each move, then for the

remainder of the period he is not obliged to meet the requirements of Article 8.1.

8.5 a. If neither player keeps score under Article 8.4, the arbiter or an assistant should

try to be present and keep score. In this case, immediately after a flag has fallen

the arbiter shall stop the chessclock. Then both players shall update their

scoresheets, using the arbiter’s or the opponent’s scoresheet.

b. If only one player has not kept score under Article 8.4, he must, as soon as either

flag has fallen, update his scoresheet completely before moving a piece on the

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chessboard. Provided it is that player’s move, he may use his opponent’s

scoresheet, but must return it before making a move.

c. If no complete scoresheet is available, the players must reconstruct the game on a

second chessboard under the control of the arbiter or an assistant. He shall first

record the actual game position, clock times, whose clock was running and the

number of moves made/completed, if this information is available, before

reconstruction takes place.

8.6 If the scoresheets cannot be brought up to date showing that a player has overstepped the

allotted time, the next move made shall be considered as the first of the following time

period, unless there is evidence that more moves have been made or completed.

8.7 At the conclusion of the game both players shall sign both scoresheets, indicating the

result of the game. Even if incorrect, this result shall stand, unless the arbiter decides

otherwise.

Article 9: The drawn game

9.1 a. The rules of a competition may specify that players cannot agree to a draw,

whether in less than a specified number of moves or at all, without the consent of

the arbiter.

b. However, if the rules of a competition allow a draw agreement the following shall

apply:

(1) A player wishing to offer a draw shall do so after having made a move on

the chessboard and before pressing his clock. An offer at any other time

during play is still valid but Article 11.5 must be considered. No

conditions can be attached to the offer. In both cases the offer cannot be

withdrawn and remains valid until the opponent accepts it, rejects it orally,

rejects it by touching a piece with the intention of moving or capturing it,

or the game is concluded in some other way.

(2) The offer of a draw shall be noted by each player on his scoresheet with

the symbol (=).

(3) A claim of a draw under Article 9.2 or 9.3 shall be considered to be an

offer of a draw.

9.2 The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by a player having the move, when the same

position for at least the third time (not necessarily by a repetition of moves):

a. is about to appear, if he first writes his move, which cannot be changed, on his

scoresheet and declares to the arbiter his intention to make this move, or

b. has just appeared, and the player claiming the draw has the move.

Positions are considered the same if and only if the same player has the move, pieces of

the same kind and colour occupy the same squares and the possible moves of all the

pieces of both players are the same. Thus positions are not the same if:

(1) at the start of the sequence a pawn could have been captured en passant.

(2) a king or rook had castling rights, but forfeited these after moving. The

castling rights are lost only after the king or rook is moved.

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9.3 The game is drawn, upon a correct claim by a player having the move, if:

a. he writes his move, which cannot be changed, on his scoresheet and declares to

the arbiter his intention to make this move which will result in the last 50 moves

by each player having been made without the movement of any pawn and without

any capture, or

b. the last 50 moves by each player have been completed without the movement of

any pawn and without any capture.

9.4 If the player touches a piece as in Article 4.3, he loses the right to claim a draw under

Article 9.2 or 9.3 on that move.

9.5 If a player claims a draw under Article 9.2 or 9.3, he or the arbiter shall stop the

chessclock (see Article 6.12a or 6.12b). He is not allowed to withdraw his claim.

a. If the claim is found to be correct, the game is immediately drawn.

b. If the claim is found to be incorrect, the arbiter shall add two minutes to the

opponent’s remaining thinking time. Then the game shall continue. If the claim

was based on an intended move, this move must be made in accordance with

Articles 3 and 4.

9.6 If one or both of the following occur(s) then the game is drawn:

a. the same position has appeared, as in 9.2b, for at least five consecutive alternate

moves by each player.

b. any consecutive series of 75 moves have been completed by each player without

the movement of any pawn and without any capture. If the last move resulted in

checkmate, that shall take precedence.

9.7 The game is drawn when a position is reached from which a checkmate cannot occur by

any possible series of legal moves. This immediately ends the game, provided that the

move producing this position was in accordance with Article 3 and Articles 4.2 – 4.7.

Article 10: Points

10.1 Unless the rules of a competition specify otherwise, a player who wins his game, or wins

by forfeit, scores one point (1), a player who loses his game, or forfeits, scores no points

(0), and a player who draws his game scores a half point (½).

Article 11: The conduct of the players

11.1 The players shall take no action that will bring the game of chess into disrepute.

11.2 The ‘playing venue’ is defined as the ‘playing area’, rest rooms, toilets, refreshment area,

area set aside for smoking and other places as designated by the arbiter.

The playing area is defined as the place where the games of a competition are played.

Only with the permission of the arbiter can

a. a player leave the playing venue.

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b. the player having the move be allowed to leave the playing area.

c. A person who is neither a player nor arbiter be allowed access to the playing area.

11.3 a. During play the players are forbidden to use any notes, sources of information or

advice, or analyse any game on another chessboard.

b. During play, a player is forbidden to have a mobile phone and/or other electronic

means of communication in the playing venue. If it is evident that a player

brought such a device into the playing venue, he shall lose the game. The

opponent shall win.

The rules of a competition may specify a different, less severe, penalty.

The arbiter may require the player to allow his clothes, bags or other items to be

inspected, in private. The arbiter or a person authorised by the arbiter shall inspect

the player and shall be of the same gender as the player. If a player refuses to

cooperate with these obligations, the arbiter shall take measures in accordance

with Article 12.9.

c. Smoking is permitted only in the section of the venue designated by the arbiter.

11.4 Players who have finished their games shall be considered to be spectators.

11.5 It is forbidden to distract or annoy the opponent in any manner whatsoever. This includes

unreasonable claims, unreasonable offers of a draw or the introduction of a source of

noise into the playing area.

11.6 Infraction of any part of Articles 11.1 – 11.5 shall lead to penalties in accordance with

Article 12.9.

11.7 Persistent refusal by a player to comply with the Laws of Chess shall be penalised by loss

of the game. The arbiter shall decide the score of the opponent.

11.8 If both players are found guilty according to Article 11.7, the game shall be declared lost

by both players.

11.9 A player shall have the right to request from the arbiter an explanation of particular

points in the Laws of Chess.

11.10 Unless the rules of the competition specify otherwise, a player may appeal against any

decision of the arbiter, even if the player has signed the scoresheet (see Article 8.7).

Article 12: The role of the Arbiter (see Preface)

12.1 The arbiter shall see that the Laws of Chess are strictly observed.

12.2 The arbiter shall

a) ensure fair play.

b) act in the best interest of the competition.

c) ensure that a good playing environment is maintained.

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d) ensure that the players are not disturbed.

e) supervise the progress of the competition.

f) take special measures in the interests of disabled players and those who need

medical attention.

12.3 The arbiter shall observe the games, especially when the players are short of time,

enforce decisions he has made, and impose penalties on players where appropriate.

12.4 The arbiter may appoint assistants to observe games, for example when several players

are short of time.

12.5 The arbiter may award either or both players additional time in the event of external

disturbance of the game.

12.6 The arbiter must not intervene in a game except in cases described by the Laws of Chess.

He shall not indicate the number of moves completed, except in applying Article 8.5

when at least one flag has fallen. The arbiter shall refrain from informing a player that

his opponent has completed a move or that the player has not pressed his clock.

12.7 If someone observes an irregularity, he may inform only the arbiter. Players in other

games are not to speak about or otherwise interfere in a game. Spectators are not

allowed to interfere in a game. The arbiter may expel offenders from the playing venue.

12.8 Unless authorised by the arbiter, it is forbidden for anybody to use a mobile phone or any

kind of communication device in the playing venue or any contiguous area designated

by the arbiter.

12.9 Options available to the arbiter concerning penalties:

a. warning

b. increasing the remaining time of the opponent

c. reducing the remaining time of the offending player

d. increasing the points scored in the game by the opponent to the maximum

available for that game

e. reducing the points scored in the game by the offending person

f. declaring the game to be lost by the offending player (the arbiter shall also decide

the opponent’s score)

g. a fine announced in advance

h. expulsion from the competition.

19

APPENDICES

Appendix A. Rapidplay

A.1 A ‘Rapidplay’ game is one where either all the moves must be completed in a fixed time

of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for each player; or the time allotted

plus 60 times any increment is of more than 10 minutes but less than 60 minutes for

each player.

A.2 Players do not need to record the moves.

A.3 The Competition Rules shall apply if

a. one arbiter supervises at most three games and

b. each game is recorded by the arbiter or his assistant and, if possible, by electronic

means.

A.4 Otherwise the following apply:

a. From the initial position, once ten moves have been completed by each player,

(1) no change can be made to the clock setting, unless the schedule of the

event would be adversely affected.

(2) no claim can be made regarding incorrect set-up or orientation of the

chessboard. In case of incorrect king placement, castling is not allowed. In

case of incorrect rook placement, castling with this rook is not allowed.

b. An illegal move is completed once the player has pressed his clock. If the arbiter

observes this he shall declare the game lost by the player, provided the opponent

has not made his next move. If the arbiter does not intervene, the opponent is

entitled to claim a win, provided the opponent has not made his next move.

However, the game is drawn if the position is such that the opponent cannot

checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of legal moves. If the opponent

does not claim and the arbiter does not intervene, the illegal move shall stand and

the game shall continue. Once the opponent has made his next move, an illegal

move cannot be corrected unless this is agreed by the players without intervention

of the arbiter.

c. To claim a win on time, the claimant must stop the chessclock and notify the

arbiter. For the claim to be successful, the claimant must have time remaining on

his own clock after the chessclock has been stopped. However, the game is drawn

if the position is such that the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by

any

possible series of legal moves.

d. If the arbiter observes both kings are in check, or a pawn on the rank furthest from

its starting position, he shall wait until the next move is completed. Then, if the

illegal position is still on the board, he shall declare the game drawn.

A.5 The Rules for a competition shall specify whether Article A.3 or Article A.4 shall

apply for the entire event.

20

Appendix B. Blitz

B.1 A ‘blitz’ game’ is one where all the moves must be completed in a fixed time of 10

minutes or less for each player; or the allotted time plus 60 times any increment is 10

minutes or less.

B.2 The penalties mentioned in Articles 7 and 9 of the Competition Rules shall be one minute

instead of two minutes.

B.3 The Competition Rules shall apply if

a. one arbiter supervises one game and

b. each game is recorded by the arbiter or his assistant and, if possible, by electronic

means.

B.4 Otherwise, play shall be governed by the Rapidplay Laws as in Article A.4.

B.5 The Rules for a competition shall specify whether Article B.3 or Article.B.4 shall apply

for the entire event.

Appendix C. Algebraic notation

FIDE recognises for its own tournaments and matches only one system of notation, the Algebraic

System, and recommends the use of this uniform chess notation also for chess literature and

periodicals. Scoresheets using a notation system other than algebraic may not be used as

evidence in cases where normally the scoresheet of a player is used for that purpose. An arbiter

who observes that a player is using a notation system other than the algebraic should warn the

player of this requirement.

Description of the Algebraic System

C.1 In this description, ‘piece’ means a piece other than a pawn.

C.2 Each piece is indicated by an abbreviation. In the English language it is the first letter, a

capital letter, of its name. Example: K=king, Q=queen, R=rook, B=bishop, N=knight.

(N is used for a knight, in order to avoid ambiguity.)

C.3 For the abbreviation of the name of the pieces, each player is free to use the name which

is commonly used in his country. Examples: F = fou (French for bishop), L = loper

(Dutch for bishop). In printed periodicals, the use of figurines recommended.

C.4 Pawns are not indicated by their first letter, but are recognised by the absence of such a

letter. Examples: the moves are written e5, d4, a5, not pe5, Pd4, pa5.

C.5 The eight files (from left to right for White and from right to left for Black) are indicated

by the small letters, a, b, c, d, e, f, g and h, respectively.

C.6 The eight ranks (from bottom to top for White and from top to bottom for Black) are

numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, respectively. Consequently, in the initial position the

white pieces and pawns are placed on the first and second ranks; the black pieces and

21

pawns on the eighth and seventh ranks.

C.7 As a consequence of the previous rules, each of the sixty-four squares is invariably

indicated by a unique combination of a letter and a number.

C.8 Each move of a piece is indicated by a) the abbreviation of the name of the piece in

question and b) the square of arrival. There is no hyphen between a) and b). Examples:

Be5, Nf3, Rd1.

In the case of pawns, only the square of arrival is indicated. Examples: e5, d4, a5.

C.9 When a piece makes a capture, an x may be inserted between a) the abbreviation of the

name of the piece in question and b) the square of arrival. Examples: Bxe5, Nxf3, Rxd1,

see also C10.

When a pawn makes a capture, the file of departure must be indicated, then an x may be

inserted, then the square of arrival. Examples: dxe5, gxf3, axb5. In the case of an ‘en

passant’ capture, ‘e.p.’ may be appended to the notation. Example: exd6 e.p.

C.10 If two identical pieces can move to the same square, the piece that is moved is indicated

as follows:

1. If both pieces are on the same rank: by a) the abbreviation of the name of the

piece, b) the file of departure, and c) the square of arrival.

2. If both pieces are on the same file: by a) the abbreviation of the name of the piece,

b) the rank of the square of departure, and c) the square of arrival.

If the pieces are on different ranks and files, method 1 is preferred.

Examples:

a. There are two knights, on the squares g1 and e1, and one of them moves to the

square f3: either Ngf3 or Nef3, as the case may be.

b. There are two knights, on the squares g5 and g1, and one of them moves to the

square f3: either N5f3 or N1f3, as the case may be.

c. There are two knights, on the squares h2 and d4, and one of them moves to the

square f3: either Nhf3 or Ndf3, as the case may be.

d. If a capture takes place on the square f3, the notation of the previous examples is

still applicable, but an x may be inserted: 1) either Ngxf3 or Nexf3, 2) either

N5xf3 or N1xf3, 3) either Nhxf3 or Ndxf3, as the case may be.

C.11 In the case of the promotion of a pawn, the actual pawn move is indicated, followed

22

immediately by the abbreviation of the new piece. Examples: d8Q, exf8N, b1B, g1R.

C.12 The offer of a draw shall be marked as (=).

C.13 Abbreviations

0-0 = castling with rook h1 or rook h8 (kingside castling)

0-0-0 = castling with rook a1 or rook a8 (queenside castling)

x = captures

+ = check

++ or # = checkmate

e.p. = captures ‘en passant’

The last four are optional.

Sample game:

1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. e5 Ne4 5. Qxd4 d5 6. exd6 e.p. Nxd6 7. Bg5 Nc6 8.

Qe3+ Be7 9. Nbd2 0-0 10. 0-0-0 Re8 11. Kb1 (=)

Or: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 ed4 4. e5 Ne4 5. Qd4 d5 6. ed6 Nd6 7. Bg5 Nc6 8. Qe3

Be7 9 Nbd2 0-0 10. 0-0-0 Re8 11. Kb1 (=)

Appendix D. Rules for play with blind and visually disabled players

D.1 The organiser, after consulting the arbiter, shall have the power to adapt the following

rules according to local circumstances. In competitive chess between sighted and

visually disabled (legally blind) players either player may demand the use of two

boards, the sighted player using a normal board, the visually disabled player using one

specially constructed. This board must meet the following requirements:

a. measure at least 20 cm by 20 cm,

b. have the black squares slightly raised,

c. have a securing aperture in each square,

The requirements for the pieces are:

a. all are provided with a peg that fits into the securing aperture of the board,

b. all are of Staunton design, the black pieces being specially marked.

D.2 The following regulations shall govern play:

1. The moves shall be announced clearly, repeated by the opponent and executed on

his chessboard. When promoting a pawn, the player must announce which piece is

chosen. To make the announcement as clear as possible, the use of the following

names is suggested instead of the corresponding letters:

A - Anna

B - Bella

C - Cesar

D - David

E - Eva

F - Felix

G - Gustav

H - Hector

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Unless the arbiter decides otherwise, ranks from White to Black shall be given the

German numbers

1 - eins

2 - zwei

3 - drei

4 - vier

5 - fuenf

6 - sechs

7 - sieben

8 - acht

Castling is announced “Lange Rochade” (German for long castling) and “Kurze

Rochade” (German for short castling).

The pieces bear the names: Koenig, Dame, Turm, Laeufer, Springer, Bauer.

2. On the visually disabled player's board a piece shall be considered ‘touched’

when it has been taken out of the securing aperture.

3. A move shall be considered ‘made’ when:

a. in the case of a capture, the captured piece has been removed from the

board of the player whose turn it is to move

b. a piece has been placed into a different securing aperture

c. the move has been announced.

Only then shall the opponent's clock be started.

4. As far as points 2 and 3 are concerned, the normal rules are valid for the sighted

player.

5. A specially constructed chessclock for the visually disabled shall be admissible. It

shall incorporate the following features:

a. a dial fitted with reinforced hands, with every five minutes marked by one

raised dot, and every 15 minutes by two raised dots, and

b. a flag which can be easily felt; care should be taken that the flag is so

arranged as to allow the player to feel the minute hand during the last 5

minutes of the full hour.

c. optionally, a means of announcing audibly to the visually disabled player

the number of moves.

6. The visually disabled player must keep score of the game in Braille or longhand,

or record the moves on a recording device.

7. A slip of the tongue in the announcement of a move must be corrected

immediately and before the clock of the opponent is started.

8. If during a game different positions should arise on the two boards, they must be

corrected with the assistance of the arbiter and by consulting both players' game

scores. If the two game scores correspond with each other, the player who has

written the correct move but made the wrong one must adjust his position to

correspond with the move on the game scores. When the game scores are found to

differ, the moves shall be retraced to the point where the two scores agree, and the

arbiter shall readjust the clocks accordingly.

9. The visually disabled player shall have the right to make use of an assistant who

shall have any or all of the following duties:

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a. making either player's move on the board of the opponent

b. announcing the moves of both players

c. keeping the game score of the visually disabled player and starting his

opponent's clock (keeping point 3.c in mind)

d. informing the visually disabled player, only at his request, of the number

of moves completed and the time used up by both players

e. claiming the game in cases where the time limit has been exceeded and

informing the arbiter when the sighted player has touched one of his

pieces

f. carrying out the necessary formalities in cases where the game is

adjourned.

10. If the visually disabled player does not make use of an assistant, the sighted

player may make use of one who shall carry out the duties mentioned in points 9.a

and 9.b.

Appendix E. Adjourned games

E.1. a. If a game is not finished at the end of the time prescribed for play, the arbiter shall

require the player having the move to ‘seal’ that move. The player must write his

move in unambiguous notation on his scoresheet, put his scoresheet and that of

his opponent in an envelope, seal the envelope and only then stop the chessclock.

Until he has stopped the chessclock the player retains the right to change his

sealed move. If, after being told by the arbiter to seal his move, the player makes

a move on the chessboard he must write that same move on his scoresheet as his

sealed move.

b. A player having the move who adjourns the game before the end of the playing

session shall be considered to have sealed at the nominal time for the end of the

session, and his remaining time shall so be recorded.

E.2. The following shall be indicated upon the envelope:

a. the names of the players,

b. the position immediately before the sealed move,

c. the time used by each player,

d. the name of the player who has sealed the move,

e. the number of the sealed move,

f. the offer of a draw, if the proposal is current,

g. the date, time and venue of resumption of play.

E.3. The arbiter shall check the accuracy of the information on the envelope and is responsible

for its safekeeping.

E.4. If a player proposes a draw after his opponent has sealed his move, the offer is valid until

the opponent has accepted it or rejected it as in Article 9.1.

E.5. Before the game is to be resumed, the position immediately before the sealed move shall

be set up on the chessboard, and the times used by each player when the game was

25

adjourned shall be indicated on the clocks.

E.6. If prior to the resumption the game is agreed drawn, or if one of the players notifies the

arbiter that he resigns, the game is concluded.

E.7. The envelope shall be opened only when the player who must reply to the sealed move is

present.

E.8. Except in the cases mentioned in Articles 5, 6.9, 9.6 and 9.7, the game is lost by a player

whose recording of his sealed move:

a. is ambiguous, or

b. is recorded in such a way that its true significance is impossible to establish, or

c. is illegal.

E.9. If, at the agreed resumption time:

a. the player having to reply to the sealed move is present, the envelope is opened,

the sealed move is made on the chessboard and his clock is started.

b. the player having to reply to the sealed move is not present, his clock shall be

started; on his arrival, he may stop his clock and summon the arbiter; the envelope

is then opened and the sealed move is made on the chessboard; his clock is then

restarted.

c. the player who sealed the move is not present, his opponent has the right to record

his reply on the scoresheet, seal his scoresheet in a fresh envelope, stop his clock

and start the absent player’s clock instead of making his reply in the normal

manner; if so, the envelope shall be handed to the arbiter for safekeeping and

opened on the absent player’s arrival.

E.10. Any player who arrives at the chessboard after the default time shall lose the game

unless the arbiter decides otherwise. However, if the sealed move resulted in the

conclusion of the game, that conclusion shall still apply.

E.11. If the rules of a competition specify that the default time is not zero, the following shall

apply: If neither player is present initially, the player who has to reply to the sealed

move shall lose all the time that elapses until he arrives, unless the rules of the

competition specify or the arbiter decides otherwise.

E.12. a. If the envelope containing the sealed move is missing, the game shall continue

from the adjourned position, with the clock times recorded at the time of

adjournment. If the time used by each player cannot be re-established, the arbiter

shall set the clocks. The player who sealed the move shall make the move he

states he sealed on the chessboard.

b. If it is impossible to re-establish the position, the game shall be annulled and a

new game shall be played.

E.13. If, upon resumption of the game, either player points out before making his first move

that the time used has been incorrectly indicated on either clock, the error must be

26

corrected. If the error is not then established the game shall continue without correction

unless the arbiter decides otherwise.

E.14. The duration of each resumption session shall be controlled by the arbiter’s timepiece.

The starting time shall be announced in advance.

Appendix F. Chess960 Rules

F.1 Before a Chess960 game a starting position is randomly set up, subject to certain rules.

After this, the game is played in the same way as standard chess. In particular, pieces

and pawns have their normal moves, and each player's objective is to checkmate the

opponent's king.

F.2 Starting-position requirements

The starting position for Chess960 must meet certain rules. White pawns are placed on

the second rank as in regular chess. All remaining white pieces are placed randomly on

the first rank, but with the following restrictions:

a. the king is placed somewhere between the two rooks, and

b. the bishops are placed on opposite-coloured squares, and

c. the black pieces are placed opposite the white pieces.

The starting position can be generated before the game either by a computer program or

using dice, coin, cards, etc.

F.3 Chess960 castling rules

a. Chess960 allows each player to castle once per game, a move by potentially both

the king and rook in a single move. However, a few interpretations of standard

chess rules are needed for castling, because the standard rules presume initial

locations of the rook and king that are often not applicable in Chess960.

b. How to castle

In Chess960, depending on the pre-castling position of the castling king and rook,

the castling manoeuvre is performed by one of these four methods:

1. double-move castling: by making a move with the king and a move with the rook,

or

2. transposition castling: by transposing the position of the king and the rook, or

3. king-move-only castling: by making only a move with the king, or

4. rook-move-only castling: by making only a move with the rook.

Recommendations

1. When castling on a physical board with a human player, it is recommended that

the king be moved outside the playing surface next to his final position, the rook

then be moved from its starting position to its final position, and then the king be

placed on his final square.

2. After castling, the rook and king's final positions should be exactly the same

positions as they would be in standard chess.

27

Clarification

Thus, after c-side castling (notated as 0-0-0 and known as queen-side castling in

orthodox chess), the king is on the c-square (c1 for white and c8 for black) and the rook

is on the d-square (d1 for white and d8 for black). After g-side castling (notated as 0-0

and known as king-side castling in orthodox chess), the king is on the g-square (g1 for

white and g8 for black) and the rook is on the f-square (f1 for white and f8 for black).

Notes

1. To avoid any misunderstanding, it may be useful to state "I am about to castle"

before castling.

2. In some starting positions, the king or rook (but not both) does not move during

castling.

3. In some starting positions, castling can take place as early as the first move.

4. All the squares between the king's initial and final squares (including the final

square) and all the squares between the rook's initial and final squares (including

the final square) must be vacant except for the king and castling rook.

5. In some starting positions, some squares can stay filled during castling that would

have to be vacant in standard chess. For example, after c-side castling 0-0-0, it is

possible to have a, b, and/or e still filled, and after g-side castling (0-0), it is

possible to have e and/or h filled.

Appendix G. Quickplay Finishes

G.1 A ‘quickplay finish’ is the phase of a game when all the remaining moves must be

completed in a finite time.

G.2 Before the start of an event it shall be announced whether this Appendix shall apply or

not.

G.3. This Appendix shall only apply to standard play and rapidplay games without increment

and not to blitz games.

G.4 If the player having the move has less than two minutes left on his clock, he may request

that a time delay or cumulative time of an extra five seconds be introduced for both

players, if possible. This constitutes the offer of a draw. If refused, and the arbiter agrees

to the request, the clocks shall then be set with the extra time; the opponent shall be

awarded two extra minutes and the game shall continue.

G.5 If Article G.4 does not apply and the player having the move has less than two minutes

left on his clock, he may claim a draw before his flag falls. He shall summon the arbiter

and may stop the chessclock (see Article 6.12 b). He may claim on the basis that his

opponent cannot win by normal means, and/or that his opponent has been making no

effort to win by normal means

a. If the arbiter agrees that the opponent cannot win by normal means, or that the

opponent has been making no effort to win the game by normal means, he shall

28

declare the game drawn. Otherwise he shall postpone his decision or reject the

claim.

b. If the arbiter postpones his decision, the opponent may be awarded two extra

minutes and the game shall continue, if possible, in the presence of an arbiter. The

arbiter shall declare the final result later in the game or as soon as possible after

the flag of either player has fallen. He shall declare the game drawn if he agrees

that the opponent of the player whose flag has fallen cannot win by normal means,

or that he was not making sufficient attempts to win by normal means.

c. If the arbiter has rejected the claim, the opponent shall be awarded two extra

minutes.

.

G.6 The following shall apply when the competition is not supervised by an arbiter:

a. A player may claim a draw when he has less than two minutes left on his clock

and before his flag falls. This concludes the game.

He may claim on the basis:

(1) that his opponent cannot win by normal means, and/or

(2) that his opponent has been making no effort to win by normal

means.

In (1) the player must write down the final position and his

opponent must verify it.

In (2) the player must write down the final position and submit an

up-todate scoresheet. The opponent shall verify both the scoresheet

and the final position.

b. The claim shall be referred to the designated arbiter.

Glossary of terms in the Laws of Chess

The number after the term refers to the first time it appears in the Laws.

adjourn: 8.1. Instead of playing the game in one session it is temporarily halted and then

continued at a later time.

algebraic notation: 8.1. Recording the moves using a-h and 1-8 on the 8x8 board.

analyse: 11.3. Where one or more players make moves on a board to try to determine what is the

best continuation.

appeal: 11.10. Normally a player has the right to appeal against a decision of the arbiter or

organiser.

arbiter: Preface. The person(s) responsible for ensuring that the rules of a competition are

followed.

arbiter’s discretion: There are approximately 39 instances in the Laws where the arbiter must

use his judgement.

assistant: 8.1. A person who may help the smooth running of the competition in various ways.

attack: 3.1. A piece is said to attack an opponent’s piece if the player’s piece can make a capture

on that square.

black: 2.1. 1. There are 16 dark-coloured pieces and 32 squares called black. Or 2. When

capitalised, this also refers to the player of the black pieces.

blitz: B. A game where each player’s thinking time is 10 minutes or less.

board: 2.4. Short for chessboard.

Bronstein mode: 6.3b. See delay mode.

29

capture: 3.1. Where a piece is moved from its square to a square occupied by an opponent’s

piece, the latter is removed from the board. See also 3.7d. In notation x.

castling: 3.8b. A move of the king towards a rook. See the article. In notation 0-0 kingside

castling, 0-0-0 queenside castling.

cellphone: See mobile phone.

check: 3.9. Where a king is attacked by one or more of the opponent’s pieces. In notation +.

checkmate: 1.2. Where the king is attacked and cannot parry the threat. In notation ++ or #.

chessboard: 1.1. The 8x8 grid as in 2.1.

chessclock: 6.1. A clock with two time displays connected to each other.

chess set: The 32 pieces on the chessboard.

Chess960: A variant of chess where the back-row pieces are set up in one of the 960

distinguishable possible positions

claim: 6.8. The player may make a claim to the arbiter under various circumstances.

clock: 6.1. One of the two time displays.

completed move: 6.2a. Where a player has made his move and then pressed his clock.

contiguous area: 12.8. An area touching but not actually part of the playing venue. For example,

the area set aside for spectators.

cumulative (Fischer) mode: Where a player receives an extra amount of time (often 30

seconds) prior to each move.

dead position: 5.2b. Where neither player can mate the opponent’s king with any series of legal

moves.

default time: 6.7. The specified time a player may be late without being forfeited.

delay (Bronstein) mode: 6.3b. Both players receive an allotted ‘main thinking time’. Each

player also receives a ‘fixed extra time’ with every move. The countdown of the main thinking

time only commences after the fixed extra time has expired. Provided the player presses his

clock before the expiration of the fixed extra time, the main thinking time does not change,

irrespective of the proportion of the fixed extra time used.

demonstration board: 6.13. A display of the position on the board where the pieces are moved

by hand.

28

diagonal: 2.4. A straight line of squares of the same colour, running from one edge of the board

to an adjacent edge.

disability: 6.2e. A condition, such as a physical or mental handicap, that results in partial or

complete loss of a person's ability to perform certain chess activities.

draw: 5.2. Where the game is concluded with neither side winning.

draw offer: 9.1.b. Where a player may offer a draw to the opponent. This is indicated on the

scoresheet with the symbol (=).

en passant: 3.7d. See that article for an explanation. In notation e.p.

exchange: 1. 3.7e. Where a pawn is promoted. Or 2.Where a player captures a piece of the same

value as his own and this piece is recaptured. Or 3. Where one player has lost a rook and the

other has lost a bishop or knight.

explanation: 11.9. A player is entitled to have a Law explained.

fair play: 12.2a. Whether justice has been done has sometimes to be considered when an arbiter

finds that the Laws are inadequate.

file: 2.4. A vertical column of eight squares on the chessboard.

Fischer mode: See cumulative mode.

30

flag: 6.1. The device that displays when a time period has expired.

flag-fall: 6.1. Where the allotted time of a player has expired.

forfeit: 4.8.1. To lose the right to make a claim or move. Or 2. To lose a game because of an

infringement of the Laws.

handicap: See disability.

I adjust: See j’adoube.

illegal: 3.10a. A position or move that is impossible because of the Laws of Chess.

impairment: See disability.

increment: 6.1. An amount of time (from 2 to 60 seconds) added from the start before each

move for the player. This can be in either delay or cumulative mode.

intervene: 12.7. To involve oneself in something that is happening in order to affect the

outcome.

j’adoube: 4.2. Giving notice that the player wishes to adjust a piece, but does not necessarily

intend to move it.

kingside: 3.8a. The vertical half of the board on which the king stands at the start of the game.

legal move: See Article 3.10a.

made: 1.1. A move is said to have been ‘made’ when the piece has been moved to its new

square, the hand has quit the piece, and the captured piece, if any, has been removed from the

board.

mate: Abbreviation of checkmate.

minor piece. Bishop or knight.

mobile phone: 11.3b. Cellphone.

monitor: 6.13. An electronic display of the position on the board.

move: 1.1. 1. 40 moves in 90 minutes, refers to 40 moves by each player. Or 2. having the move

refers to the player’s right to play next. Or 3. White’s best move refers to the single move by

White.

move-counter: 6.10b. A device on a chessclock which may be used to record the number of

times the clock has been pressed by each player.

normal means: G.5. Playing in a positive manner to try to win; or, having a position such that

there is a realistic chance of winning the game other than just flag-fall.

organiser. 8.3. The person responsible for the venue, dates, prize money, invitations, format of

the competition and so on.

over-the-board: Introduction. The Laws cover only this type of chess, not internet, nor

correspondence, and so on.

penalties: 12.3. The arbiter may apply penalties as listed in 12.9 in ascending order of severity.

piece: 2. 1. One of the 32 figurines on the board. Or 2. A queen, rook, bishop or knight.

29

playing area: 11.2. The place where the games of a competition are played.

playing venue: 11.2. The only place to which the players have access during play.

points: 10. Normally a player scores 1 point for a win, ½ point for a draw, 0 for a loss. An

alternative is 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.

press the clock: 6.2a. The act of pushing the button or lever on a chess clock which stops the

player’s clock and starts that of his opponent.

promotion: 3.7e. Where a pawn reaches the eighth rank and is replaced by a new queen, rook,

bishop or knight of the same colour.

queen: As in queen a pawn, meaning to promote a pawn to a queen.

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queenside: 3.8a. The vertical half of the board on which the queen stands at the start of the

game.

quickplay finish: G. The last part of a game where a player must complete an unlimited number

of moves in a finite time.

rank: 2.4. A horizontal row of eight squares on the chessboard.

rapidplay: A. A game where each player’s thinking time is more than 10 minutes, but less than

60.

repetition: 5.2.d. 1. A player may claim a draw if the same position occurs three times. 2. A

game is drawn if the same position occurs five times.

resigns: 5.1b. Where a player gives up, rather than play on until mated.

rest rooms: 11.2. Toilets, also the room set aside in World Championships where the players can

relax.

result: 8.7. Usually the result is 1-0, 0-1 or ½-½. In exceptional circumstances both players may

lose (Article 11.8), or one score ½ and the other 0. For unplayed games the scores are indicated

by +/- (White wins by forfeit), -/+ (Black wins by forfeit), -/- (Both players lose by forfeit).

rules of the competition: 6.7a. At various points in the Laws there are options. The competition

rules must state which have been chosen.

sealed move: E. Where a game is adjourned the player seals his next move in an envelope.

scoresheet: 8.1. A paper sheet with spaces for writing the moves. This can also be electronic.

screen: 6.13. An electronic display of the position on the board.

spectators: 11.4. People other than arbiters or players viewing the games. This includes players

after their games have been concluded.

standard play: G3. A game where each player’s thinking time is at least 60 minutes.

stalemate: 5.2a. Where the player has no legal move and his king is not in check.

square of promotion: 3.7e. The square a pawn lands on when it reached the eighth rank.

supervise: 12.2e. Inspect or control.

time control: 1. The regulation about the time the player is allotted. For example, 40 moves in

90 minutes, all the moves in 30 minutes, plus 30 seconds cumulatively from move 1. Or 2. A

player is said ‘to have reached the time control’, if, for example he has completed the 40 moves

in less than 90 minutes.

time period: 8.6. A part of the game where the players must complete a number of moves or all

the moves in a certain time.

touch move: 4.3. If a player touches a piece with the intention of moving it, he is obliged to

move it.

vertical: 2.4. The 8th rank is often thought as the highest area on a chessboard. Thus each file is

referred to as ‘vertical’.

white: 2.2. 1. There are 16 light-coloured pieces and 32 squares called white. Or 2. When

capitalised, this also refers to the player of the white pieces.

zero tolerance: (6.7b). Where a player must arrive at the chessboard before the start of the

session.

50-move rule: 5.2e. A player may claim a draw if the last 50 moves have been completed by

each player without the movement of any pawn and without any capture.

75-move rule: 9.6b. The game is drawn if the last 75 moves have been completed by each player

without the movement of any pawn and without any capture.

32

Comments for Arbiters and Players on 2014 Laws. If an event is to be FIDE rated then the FIDE Laws must apply.

The following default situations will apply to all British events which do not state otherwise on their entry forms.

The default time is 30 minutes for standard games and 10 minutes for Rapidplay.

For Rapidplay and Blitz events the normal Laws will be amended as in Appendix A4 (B4)

Appendix G (Quickplay Finishes) will apply to events without incremental time controls. Where G is used

the G6 (draw claims in the last two minutes) will not apply where G4 (5 second increments) is possible.

A total ban on mobile phones would be unacceptable at British events. Therefore the penalty of a loss

should be amended to a fine or warning (but see below).

Illegal Moves (7.5b & Appendix A4b)

For inexperienced players (indicated by age and/or grade) it is advisable not to enforce this Article with its full

vigour. Each illegal move should be treated as the first until the arbiter decides it is too distracting. (The opponent

will be given an additional 2 minutes in standard play and 1 minute in Rapidplay.)

Arbiter Declaring Game Drawn (9.6b)

5 fold position occurrences require observation of the game. The 5 repetitions should occur within 8 moves to be

valid. As always it is the position which is important not the moves.

The 75 move rule is interpreted as - The Arbiter may use the evidence of a clear scoresheet in which captures and

pawn moves are easily distinguishable to add to the number of moves counted by him or his assistant that were

observed but not recorded. It is best that there is no gap between the end of recording and the beginning of

counting. This rule does not require the arbiter to attempt to record the game.

Players are advised that although indicating captures is no longer necessary it would be useful in these

circumstances.

11.3 Mobile Phones Ban

It may be that some organisers will wish to ban mobile phones etc. from their event. That is acceptable. The entry

form should state this.

It is acknowledged that for some people having a mobile phone with them at a chess event is a necessity. Therefore

the default situation should be:

Where there is no safe keeping place for mobiles etc. the following will apply:

If anyone intends to bring a phone with them to a chess event they should register that position and their phone

number with the organiser. Such phones should be switched off completely (there may be exceptions for doctors on

call etc).

If such a switched off phone makes a sound, e.g. low battery beep, then Law 11.5 applies.

If the phone is found to be switched on then the player should be defaulted.

In the application of these guidelines the entire tournament shall count as one instance.

The entry form should provide space to register the phone and number. The penalty could be a fine of £1 used for a

good cause.

Some organisers may wish players to register at the event. Another penalty which may be issued would be a

warning.

For games not under the supervision of arbiters (e.g. some league games) it is recognised that mobile phone use may

be needed. This should be done with the knowledge of both captains. When this is done a more lax approach can be

used. It is inappropriate to impose a penalty when any noise emitted is less than the ambient noise in the room.

If dealing with a blind player and an illegality occurs as in D8. The clock should be treated as in Article 7.1

Players should be made aware that it is in their own interests to record captures with x as in Article C9.

Neither Rapidplay nor Blitz states that the arbiter cannot call flag-fall. Therefore the arbiter should call flag-fall as

detailed in Article 6.

33

Chess Scotland advice to Arbiters and Players regarding interpretation of Laws

Notation

The preface to Appendix C states "Scoresheets using a notation other than algebraic may not be used as evidence in

cases where normally the scoresheet of a player is used for that purpose."

Chess Scotland endorses this statement but arbiters may apply a more lenient interpretation in the cases of more

elderly players and of tournaments of lesser importance. Any action by the arbiter should be early in the game.

Rapidplay and Blitz Rules

Appendices A and B of the FIDE Laws of Chess give rules for these types of game. In addition to these rules, if

there is interference, such as by calling attention to a flag fall or an illegal move, the arbiter may annul the game and

rule that a new game be played in its stead, with a possible reduced time allowance (but not less than 5 minutes) for

both players.

Recording of Result

Article 8.7 requires the scoresheets to be signed at the end of the game and this should be insisted on in any FIDE

rated event. In other events, especially where the players are not required to submit scoresheets to the arbiter, the

arbiter should make clear to the players what is the approved method of recording the result.

Deaf-Blind Players

For games with Deaf-Blind players, the regulations in Appendix D apply, except for 1, 6 and 9b - moves are not

announced. An assistant must transmit the moves between the two boards and carry out the other duties in (9) as

required. If the assistant is not a communicator, then a communicator should be present to convey any messages

Methods of recording a position:

If no diagram blank is available, a position may be recorded by one of two main methods. In both cases it is also

necessary to record which player is to move and whether castling and en passant moves are possible.

Algebraic:

This is simply a list of the pieces in order, each type of piece followed by the square(s) occupied.

eg White: Kg1; Qc2; Rf1; Bb2; Nf3,g3; Pb6,e3,f2,g2,h4.

Black: Kg8; Qc8; Rd8; Bg4,g7; Nf6; Pb7,c6,f7,g6,h7.

Forsyth notation:

The occupancy of each square is recorded in sequence starting from a8 and then rank by rank (separated by a

semicolon or /) to h1. White pieces are denoted by capital letters and Black pieces by small letters or by circling the

letters. A single empty square is denoted by the number '1'. A sequence of empty squares (within a rank) is denoted

by the number of empty squares.

The above position would be recorded as: 2qr2k1; 1p3pbp; 1Pp2np1; 8; 6bP; 4PNN1; 1BQ2PP1; 5RK1.

Chess Scotland Notes for the Guidance of Arbiters and Players on Quickplay Finishes

The rules for Quickplay finishes are now to be found in Appendix G of the Laws of Chess. Players are

advised to make themselves aware of these Laws. There is now a further option (G4) of the introduction

of a clock set for a 5 second increment. The guidance below relates to situations where this option is not

in force. In summary, a claim of a draw MUST be made by the player whose move it is and before a flag

falls. Following the claim of the draw the opponent may be awarded an additional two minutes by the

Arbiter.

1 The recommended time-controls for games completed under quickplay finish rules, and which are to

be sent for grading are:

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An initial period of at least 1 hour per player, with a clock rate not faster than 2 minutes per move (eg

40 moves in at least 80 minutes or 30 moves in 1 hour), followed by at least an extra 15 minutes per

player. These requirements must have been clearly stated before the tournament starts. Organisers

planning a faster time-control should consult the grader.

2 The guidance given here is an attempt to ensure that the player does not lose who, from the position

on the board and his demonstrated standard of play, would be able to gain at least a draw had time

considerations not played a critical role.

Before claiming a draw from the Arbiter the player is recommended to first offer his opponent a

draw. The draw should be offered when less than two minutes remain on the player's clock.

If this is declined the player should stop the clocks when next on move and summon the Arbiter.

3 The Arbiter will consider the player's claim. In these circumstances the Arbiter may:

(a) Reject the draw claim and if appropriate award the opponent an additional two minutes;

(b) Award the draw immediately;

(c) Order play to continue and if appropriate award the opponent additional time of two minutes.

4 If the Arbiter has postponed his decision (3(c)), the player should attempt to demonstrate the draw in

the time remaining. It is advisable that the player allows himself as much time as possible to

demonstrate the draw by his play to the Arbiter. If a player continues to play for a win then he risks

losing.

5 If 3(c) applies the Arbiter should try to watch the remainder of the game, though there may be other

similar situations occurring. In that case the Arbiter should use discretion as to his most appropriate

positioning. It may be appropriate to note the position and number of moves played.

6 If 3(c) applies the Arbiter may award the draw during further play or after a flag fall. The reasons for

awarding the draw include:

(a) the player's material and/or positional advantage is clear, and that the opponent has no reasonable way

to create counterplay that would give him winning chances. The more material on the board, the

greater the advantage must be;

(b) that the position is clearly drawn, eg the player is controlling the queening square with his king

against a or h pawn and wrong coloured bishop;

(c) the opponent has not been trying to win on the board, but has been trying to win on time by making

passive moves.

(d) that the player's offer of a draw was declined when the opponent had an inferior position and the

opponent has not since then created any counterplay.

(e) that the play of the player has fully demonstrated that he knows how to draw the position which is

materially even or disadvantageous to him, eg K+N vs K+R with no pawns.

7 In exceptional circumstances the Arbiter, before making a decision, may allow each player to make a

brief statement of his view on the position.

8 The Arbiter's decision is not an adjudication, but an ad hoc decision based on the position on the

board, the play after he has been summoned and the claims of the players. The game is still in progress

until the decision has been reached. Pieces must not be moved on the board, and only the players

concerned and the Arbiter must be involved in the decision. It is acceptable for the Arbiter to consult

another Arbiter.

9 The onus of proof is on the player who has made the claim. If there is reasonable doubt, the claim

must fail.

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10 In matches where no official Arbiter is present (see G6) and if item 2 has been satisfied then:

(a) If a draw claim is being made because the opponent cannot win by normal means a copy of the final

position should be noted and verified by the opponent.

(b) If a draw claim is being made because the opponent is making no effort to win then a copy of the final

position and a copy of both players' scoresheets should be submitted.

These actions permanently halt the game with immediate effect.

In a match between two teams the respective captains should attempt to reach a decision; otherwise the

evidence should be submitted to the person designated in the tournament rules.

Rules for Seeded Swiss Pairings

BASIC PRINCIPLE

1. No player shall play the same opponent twice.

PRIORITIES

2. When making pairings, the priorities are:-

a) score

b) colour

(i) equalise numbers of whites and blacks

(ii) avoid runs of the same colour

c) grade order

d) float history

Where alterations from the perfect application of these rules must be made, the principle of minimum

disturbance is applied.

PREPARATION

3. Ungraded players are allocated an estimated grade using the best information available. This can be

amended for particular players in the light of experience during the tournament.

4. Pairing cards are arranged in descending order of grade. Players with the same grade are placed in

order of FIDE title status (GM, WGM, IM, WIM, FM, WFM, no title) and then alphabetically.

Pairings for a particular round can sometimes be improved by changing the order of players having the

same grade.

MID-LINE

5. When the players on a score level have been ranked according to rule 4, the cards are divided in to two

groups. The higher graded players will be expected either to upfloat to a higher score level or play a

lower graded player on the same score level. The lower graded players will be expected either to

downfloat or to be awarded a bye or to play a higher graded player on the same score level. The

position of the mid-line is chosen so that after any floaters or byes are removed, the number of players

above the line equals the number of players below the line. Example: for 61 players in round 1, the

mid-line is set below player 30. When the bye has been selected there will be 30 games between top-

half and bottom-half players.

BYES

6. If a bye is required in round 1, it is given to a player just below the mid-line who is not due to receive a

pre-arranged bye. For subsequent rounds the bye is chosen, if possible, from the lowest score level,

looking first at the larger colour group, working from the mid-line downwards, seeking a player who

36

has not hitherto had a bye or default and who is not due to receive a pre-arranged bye. If this fails, the

bye is chosen using the same criteria but working upwards from the mid-line.

7. The chosen player receives the points given for a win, without colour.

PAIRINGS FOR ROUND 1

8. Players are paired top half v bottom half in descending grade order with the colour on board 1 being

decided by lot, e.g. with 64 players:- 1v33, 34v2, 3v35, or 33v1, 2v34, 35v3.

PAIRINGS FOR OTHER ROUNDS

SCORE

9. As far as possible players are paired within their own score level.

10. Where this is not possible, the minimum number of players are floated by the minimum score

difference (see rules 19-24).

11. The highest score level is considered first, then the next highest and so on.

12. On each score level, the top half is paired against the bottom half, keeping as close as possible to grade

order. Where this is not possible, the players on either side of the mid-line are exchanged by the

minimum extent necessary.

13. This policy is only broken to avoid a blockage near the bottom of the pairings, when as few score

levels as possible, working upwards, are disturbed.

COLOUR

14. Within each score level, pairing cards are sorted into white seekers and black seekers, each group then

being arranged in descending order (see rule 4). A white seeker is a player who has had more blacks

than whites, or has had equal numbers of each colour, but played last with black. A black seeker is a

player who has had more whites than black, or has had equal numbers of each colour, but played last

with white.

15. As far as possible, white seekers play black seekers.

16. Where there is an excess of one colour group, transfers are made which involve those players with the

weakest claim for the original colour. Colour difference is more important than colour alternation.

(i) The greater the difference between the number of whites and blacks, the greater is

his claim to be given the correct colour, e.g.WWBW has a colour difference of 2

and would be given black in preference to byeBWW, which has a colour

difference of 1.

(ii) A player who has just had one colour should be given the other colour. A player

who has just had two of the same colour has a stronger claim to the other colour

than a player who has not just had a run of the same colour. Even longer runs of a

colour give a stronger claim to alternate in the next round, e.g.(1) WWBB deserves

white more than WBWB, e.g.(2) BWWB and WBWB equally deserve white.

(iii) Rule (ii) is used to distinguish between players who have the same colour

difference, e.g. (i) WBWW is more strongly due for black than WWBW, e.g.(2)

WWBW is more strongly due for black than WWWB.

(iv) Byes are ignored for the purpose of (ii) e.g. WBBbye and WbyeBB are equally

deserving of white in the next round.

(v) A player who has played fewer games has greater priority for the correct colour

e.g. bye bye W deserves black more than WBW, but less than BWW.

17. If the score level requires a float (or floats) and has an excess of one colour and the linked score

level(s) below has (have) an excess of the same colour, they are treated as one score level for the

purpose of colour transfers, care being taken not to infringe rule 10.

18. Where colour transfers must be made which involve players having identical colour requirements,

players should be chosen who best satisfy Rule 12.

37

FLOATERS

19. When there is an odd number of players on the score level being considered, a player must be

floated down to the next score level.

20. The downfloater is chosen from the larger colour group. Work from the mid-line of the score

group downwards to the bottom, seeking a player who:-

a) did not downfloat in the previous round

b) has no worse a downfloat history than any other player below the mid-line in the colour group

of the score level being considered.

If this fails to produce the downfloater, work from the mid-line to the top, using criteria a) and b).

21. The opponent for the downfloater is chosen from the opposite colour group. Work from the top

downwards towards the med-line, seeking a player who:-

a) did not upfloat in the previous round

b) has no worse an upfloat history than any other player above the mid-line in the colour group

of the score level being considered.

If this fails to produce the upfloater, work from the mid-line down to the bottom, using criteria a)

and b).

22. If the chosen upfloater has already played the chosen downfloater, the alternative pairing which

best satisfies both rule 20 and rule 21 is chosen.

23. When the floaters have been selected the players on each score level are paired according to rule

12.

24. Selected floaters are not altered unless a change reduces the number of a) further floaters, b)

colour transfers, or c) exchanges of players across the mid-line.

FINAL COLOUR CHECK

25. Where two players with identical colour requirements are paired together, the correct colour is

given to the higher ranking player. Where two players have the same score, this is the higher-

graded player. Where two players have different scores, it is the player with the higher score.

GENERAL

26. In a long tournament, care must be taken that the priorities are not violated for players on the

lowest score levels.

27. Once a draw has been published, if adjustments or alterations are necessary, they are made so as to

produce the least disturbance to the draw.

OTHER FORMS OF SWISS DRAW

28. SWISS DRAW FOR LONG EVENTS: In Long tournaments, including the British Championship,

in Rule 21, the search for the upfloater is made from mid-line to top. The reason for this is to

avoid giving a lone leader the strongest available opponent for round after round.

29. SWISS DRAWS FOR LARGE NUMBERS OF PLAYERS: In short tournaments with large

numbers of players, in Rule 20, the search for the downfloater is made from the bottom to the mid-

line. This acts as a mild form of acceleration.

30. RANDOM PAIRINGS: When there are many ungraded players, or when the range of gradings is

very small or when pairings have to be made rapidly, random pairings may be used. These use the

same principles as above, but without any reference to gradings or the mid-line.

SPECIAL RULES FOR THE BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP AND OTHER FIDE-RATED EVENTS

31. The British Championship will not normally start with a bye.

32. In the British Championship, the highest FIDE-rated player takes white in odd-numbered years.

33. In FIDE-rated tournaments, the grades of non FIDE-rated players should be used to rank those

players. Depending on the nature of the tournament, the rated and non-rated pools of players may

be placed in a single rank order, or the unrated players may all be placed below the rated ones.

38

34. For FIDE-rated tournaments, the words ‘FIDE rating’ should be substituted for ‘grade’ in rules 1-

27.

DISCRETIONARY RULES

35. In round 1, pairings between relatives, players from the same club, distant local area or foreign

country are best avoided. The extent to which such pairings are avoided in later rounds is at the

discretion of the arbiter.

36. Full point byes can sometimes be avoided by the use of ‘fillers’ or cross-pairings between

sections. These options may not be appropriate for championship events.

37. In round 2, pairings between players who received half-point byes in round 1 should be avoided if

possible.

38. In an event where there are grades or FIDE ratings from more than one source, a recognised

conversion formula may be used to derive the best ranking of the players.

39. If two players are paired together but one or both defaults, although the two players are still

eligible to be paired together subsequently, this should be avoided, providing priorities (a) score,

and (b) colour balance, are not violated.

40. In the last rounds, for players not in contention for a prize, rule 9 may be relaxed to avoid a colour

difference of 3 (e.g. 4 whites, 7 blacks).

FINAL NOTE

These rules are approved by the Chief Arbiters of England and Wales, and the Arbiters’ Committee of Scotland. A

fuller set of regulations is being produced, which may be more useful to some arbiters. Both sets of rules are

designed to produce the same result and are equally valid.

ACCELERATED PAIRINGS

General

Accelerated pairings form an optional addition to Grading based pairings and must be used in

conjunction with them. For example, in a 5-round event of over 32 players, or a 6-round event of

over 64 players, it is possible (especially if there is a wide range of playing strengths) that two

players may finish with perfect scores. The purpose of accelerated pairings is to make this very

unlikely. Another reason is to avoid mismatches and possibly improve title norm chances.

In the first case acceleration should continue until no bottom half player remains on 100% but

should not be done in the last two rounds even if all bottom half players have not ‘fallen’. In the

second case acceleration should be carried out for a fixed number of rounds. This number

should be a minimum of three.

There are two separate principles involved in the system:

(a) The "acceleration" principle. The aim is to pair the higher graded (ie "top half") players

together, and then to use the top half non-winners to wipe out the 100% scores of "bottom

half" players as quickly as possible. Acceleration ceases when this is achieved or when

there are only 2 rounds left, whichever comes first. The system assumes that lower

graded players will not repeatedly beat higher graded players. Like any probability-based

system, it can be upset by a sequence of unlikely results. This does not alter the fact that

in the long run it is the system most likely to avoid joint winners on 100%.

(b) The "pairing by gradings" principle. This should be used throughout every round in an

accelerated event. The aim is that throughout the tournament the opponents of each

player will in each round have grades giving a grading difference near the average for the

39

score group he is in for that round. This avoids the situation whereby a player may

unluckily play the best (or worst) player in the score group in each round, and ensures

that there are fewer games between players of greatly differing grades.

The accelerated system is likely to work well only if:

(a) All, or nearly all, the players are graded.

(b) There is a large grading difference (say, over 350) between top and bottom. It would

therefore most likely be used in an Open and would probably not be used in a grading-

restricted event

(c) The number of players is greater than 2r, where r is the number of rounds.

Basic acceleration

The system assumes that lower graded players will not repeatedly beat higher graded players.

Like any probability-based system, it can be upset by a sequence of unlikely results. This does

not alter the fact that in the long run it is the system most likely to avoid joint winners on 100%.

It does this by pairing the higher graded players together in round 1, and then to use the top half

non-winners to eliminate lower graded players on 100% as quickly as possible. Acceleration

ceases when this is achieved or when there are only two rounds left whichever comes first.

The rules for seeded pairings are followed with the following additions.

1 Divide the players in grading order into four quarters, A, B, C, D. The 'top half' players are

in quarters A and B. If the number of players is not a multiple of four act as follows. If the

remainder is one or two enlarge the top half by two. If three enlarge the top half by two and

the bottom half by 1.

2 In the first round, quarter A is paired against quarter B and quarter C is paired against

quarter D. As normal the colour on board 1 is decided by lot (unless tournament regulations

specify otherwise) and then alternates throughout.

3 For round 2 pairings, the score groups are, in order, (a) top half 1's (see 6), (b) bottom half

1's paired in grading order against an equal number of the highest-graded top half players

who did not win in round 1 taking account of colour requirements, (c) bottom half ½’s and

any remaining top half ½’s , (d) bottom half 0's and any remaining top half 0's.

4 Acceleration continues with score groups (a) top half players with 100% (see 6), (b) bottom

half players with 100% scores paired against the highest graded top half players due the

appropriate colour in the next two lower score groups, (c) remaining players in normal

separate score groups, until either there are no bottom half players with 100% scores or

there are only two rounds to play, whichever comes first.

5 In all subsequent rounds, each score group contains only players with the same score, with

the possible addition of floaters.

6 A floater from the top score group will be paired against the highest graded top half player

who is a half point behind and is due the appropriate colour as normal. However this

pairing will be broken if the number of bottom half players with 100% exceeds the number

of top half players remaining in pairing group (b) above. In this case the top half player

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with 100% is paired against the highest rated bottom half player of the appropriate colour

and the pairings then continue as detailed in 3(b) or 4(b) as appropriate.

All-play all Pairings

Each player is given a number by lot before play commences. In the pairings below, the first number has White. If the number of competitors is odd, the player whose code number is asterisked has the bye. 3/4 Players 5/6 Players Round 1 1-2 4-3* Round 1 1-2 5-3 6-4* Round 2 3-1 2*-4 Round 2 3-1 4-5 2*-6 Round 3 2-3 1*-4 Round 3 1-4 2-3 6-5* Round 4 5-1 4-2 3*-6

Round 5 2-5 3-4 1*-6 7/8 Players 9/10 Players Round 1 1-2 7-3 6-4 8-5* Round 1 1-2 9-3 8-4 7-5 10-6* Round 2 3-1 4-7 5-6 2*-8 Round 2 3-1 4-9 5-8 6-7 2*-10 Round 3 1-4 2-3 7-5 8-6* Round 3 1-4 2-3 9-5 8-6 10-7* Round 4 5-1 4-2 6-7 3*-8 Round 4 5-1 4-2 6-9 7-8 3*-10 Round 5 1-6 2-5 3-4 8-7* Round 5 1-6 2-5 3-4 9-7 10-8* Round 6 7-1 6-2 5-3 4*-8 Round 6 7-1 6-2 5-3 8-9 4*-10 Round 7 2-7 3-6 4-5 1*-8 Round 7 1-8 2-7 3-6 4-5 10-9* Round 8 9-1 8-2 7-3 6-4 5*-10

Round 9 2-9 3-8 4-7 5-6 1*-10 11/12 Players 13/14 Players Round 1 1-2 11-3 10-4 9-5 8-6 12-7* Round 1 1-2 13-3 12-4 11-5 10-6 9-7 14-8* Round 2 3-1 4-11 5-10 6-9 7-8 2*-12 Round 2 3-1 4-13 5-12 6-11 7-10 8-9 2*-14 Round 3 1-4 2-3 11-5 10-6 9-7 12-8* Round 3 1-4 2-3 13-5 12-6 11-7 10-8 14-9* Round 4 5-1 4-2 6-11 7-10 8-9 3*-12 Round 4 5-1 4-2 6-13 7-12 8-11 9-10 3*-14 Round 5 1-6 2-5 3-4 11-7 10-8 12-9* Round 5 1-6 2-5 3-4 13-7 12-8 11-9 14-10* Round 6 7-1 6-2 5-3 8-11 9-10 4*-12 Round 6 7-1 6-2 5-3 8-13 9-12 10-11 4*-14 Round 7 1-8 2-7 3-6 4-5 11-9 12-10* Round 7 1-8 2-7 3-6 4-5 13-9 12-10 14-11* Round 8 9-1 8-2 7-3 6-4 10-11 5*-12 Round 8 9-1 8-2 7-3 6-4 10-13 11-12 5*-14 Round 9 1-10 2-9 3-8 4-7 5-6 12-11* Round 9 1-10 2-9 3-8 4-7 5-6 13-11 14-12* Round 10 11-1 10-2 9-3 8-4 7-5 6*-12 Round 10 11-1 10-2 9-3 8-4 7-5 12-13 6*-14 Round 11 2-11 3-10 4-9 5-8 6-7 1*-12 Round 11 1-12 2-11 3-10 4-9 5-8 6-7 14-13*

Round 12 13-1 12-2 11-3 10-4 9-5 8-6 7*-14 Round 13 2-13 3-12 4-11 5-10 6-9 7-8 1*-14

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15/16 Players Round 1 1-2 15-3 14-4 13-5 12-6 11-7 10-8 16-9* Round 2 3-1 4-15 5-14 6-13 7-12 8-11 9-10 2*-16 Round 3 1-4 2-3 15-5 14-6 13-7 12-8 11-9 16-10* Round 4 5-1 4-2 6-15 7-14 8-13 9-12 10-11 3*-16 Round 5 1-6 2-5 3-4 15-7 14-8 13-9 12-10 16-11* Round 6 7-1 6-2 5-3 8-15 9-14 10-13 11-12 4*-16 Round 7 1-8 2-7 3-6 4-5 15-9 14-10 13-11 16-12* Round 8 9-1 8-2 7-3 6-4 10-15 11-14 12-13 5*-16 Round 9 1-10 2-9 3-8 4-7 5-6 15-11 14-12 16-13* Round 10 11-1 10-2 9-3 8-4 7-5 13-14 12-15 6*-16 Round 11 1-12 2-11 3-10 4-9 5-8 6-7 15-13 16-14* Round 12 13-1 12-2 11-3 10-4 9-5 8-6 14-15 7*-16 Round 13 1-14 2-13 3-12 4-11 5-10 6-9 7-8 16-15* Round 14 15-1 14-2 13-3 12-4 11-5 10-6 9-7 8*-16 Round 15 2-15 3-14 4-13 5-12 6-11 7-10 8-9 1*-16

Jamboree Pairings

Chess Scotland recommends the Hutton Pairing system.

Each team is given a code letter by lot before play commences.

The pairings below give the board number where the player should sit, followed by the white

player's code and team board number, followed by the same information for black. 3 Teams 1 B1-C1 2 C2-A1 3 A2-B2 4 B3-A3 5 A4-C3 6 C4-B4 4 Teams 1 A1-B1 2 C1-D1 3 B2-C2 4 D2-A2 5 A3-C3 6 B3-D3 7 D4-B4 8 C4-A4 9 C5-B5 10 A5-D5 11 B6-A6 12 D6-C6 5 Teams 1 B1-E1 2 D1-C1 3 E2-A1 4 A2-D2 5 C2-B2 6 A3-C3 7 E3-D3 8 D4-B3 9 B4-A4 10 C4-E4 11 B5-C5 12 D5-A5 13 A6-E5 14 C6-D6 15 E6-B6 16 A7-B7 17 E7-C7 18 B8-D7 19 C8-A8 20 D8-E8 6 Teams 1 A1-E1 2 B1-D1 3 F1-C1 4 C2-B2 5 D2-A2 6 E2-F2 7 A3-C3 8 E3-D3 9 F3-B3 10 B4-A4 11 C4-E4 12 D4-F4 13 A5-F5 14 B5-E5 15 C5-D5 16 D6-C6 17 E6-B6 18 F6-A6 19 C7-F7 20 D7-B7 21 E7-A7 22 A8-D8 23 B8-C8 24 F8-E8 25 B9-F9 26 C9-A9 27 D9-E9 28 A10-B10 29 E10-C10 30 F10-D10 7 Teams 1 B1-G1 2 D1-E1 3 F1-C1 4 G2-A1 5 A2-F2 6 C2-D2 7 E2-B2 8 C3-A3 9 D3-G3 10 E3-F3 11 F4-B3 12 A4-D4 13 B4-C4 14 G4-E4 15 A5-E5 16 D5-B5 17 G5-F5 18 E6-C5 19 B6-A6 20 C6-G6 21 F6-D6 22 B7-E7 23 D7-C7 24 F7-A7 25 A8-G7 26 C8-F8 27 E8-D8 28 G8-B8 29 C9-B9 30 D9-A9 31 E9-G9 32 B10-F9 33 A10-C10 34 F10-E10 35 G10-D10 36 A11-B11 37 D11-F11 38 G11-C11 39 C12-E11 40 B12-D12 41 E12-A12 42 F12-G12

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8 Teams 1 A1-H1 2 B1-G1 3 C1-F1 4 D1-E1 5 E2-C2 6 F2-B2 7 G2-A2 8 H2-D2 9 A3-F3 10 B3-E3 11 C3-D3 12 G3-H3 13 D4-B4 14 E4-A4 15 F4-G4 16 H4-C4 17 A5-D5 18 B5-C5 19 F5-H5 20 G5-E5 21 C6-A6 22 D6-G6 23 E6-F6 24 H6-B6 25 A7-B7 26 E7-H7 27 F7-D7 28 G7-C7 29 B8-A8 30 C8-G8 31 D8-F8 32 H8-E8 33 E9-D9 34 F9-C9 35 G9-B9 36 H9-A9 37 A10-C10 38 B10-F10 39 C10-E10 40 D10-H10 41 D11-C11 42 E11-B11 43 F11-A11 44 H11-G11 45 A12-E12 46 B12-D12 47 C12-H12 48 G12- 9 Teams 1 B1-I1 2 D1-G1 3 F1-E1 4 H1-C1 5 I2-A1 6 A2-H2 7 C2-F2 8 E2-D2 9 G2-B2 10 C3-A3 11 E3-H3 12 F3-G3 13 I3-D3 14 H4-B3 15 A4-F4 16 B4-E4 17 D4-C4 18 G4-I4 19 A5-E5 20 B5-D5 21 H5-G5 22 I5-F5 23 G6-C5 24 C6-B6 25 D6-A6 26 E6-I6 27 F6-H6 28 B7-F7 29 C7-E7 30 G7-A7 31 H7-I7 32 F8-D7 33 A8-B8 34 D8-H8 35 E8-G8 36 I8-C8 37 B9-G9 38 D9-E9 39 F9-C9 40 H9-A9 41 A10-I9 42 C10-H10 43 E10-F10 44 G10-D10 45 I10-B10 46 C11-D11 47 E11-B11 48 F11-A11 49 I11-G11 50 B12-H11 51 A12-C12 52 D12-I12 53 G12-F12 54 H12-E12 10 Teams 1 A1-J1 2 B1-I1 3 C1-H1 4 D1-G1 5 E1-F1 6 F2-D2 7 G2-C2 8 H2-B2 9 I2-A2 10 J2-E2 11 A3-H3 12 B3-G3 13 C3-F3 14 D3-E3 15 I3-J3 16 E4-C4 17 F4-B4 18 G4-A4 19 H4-I4 20 J4-D4 21 A5-F5 22 B5-E5 23 C5-D5 24 H5-J5 25 I5-G5 26 D6-B6 27 E6-A6 28 F6-I6 29 G6-H6 30 J6-C6 31 A7-D7 32 B7-C7 33 G7-J7 34 H7-F7 35 I7-E7 36 C8-E8 37 D8-I8 38 E8-H8 39 F8-G8 40 J8-B8 41 A9-B9 42 F9-J9 43 G9-E9 44 H9-D9 45 I9-C9 46 B10-A10 47 C10-I10 48 D10-H10 49 E10-G10 50 J10-F10 51 F11-E11 52 G11-D11 53 H11-C11 54 I11-B11 55 J11-A11 56 A12-I12 57 B12-H12 58 C12-G12 59 D12-F12 60 E12-J12 11 Teams 1 B1-K1 2 D1-I1 3 F1-G1 4 H1-E1 5 J1-C1 6 K2-A1 7 A2-J2 8 C2-H2 9 E2-F2 10 G2-D2 11 I2-B2 12 A3-C3 13 E3-J3 14 F3-I3 15 G3-H3 16 K3-D3 17 J4-B3 18 B4-G4 19 C4-F4 20 D4-E4 21 H4-A4 22 I4-K4 23 D5-B5 24 E5-A5 25 F5-K5 26 G5-J5 27 H5-I5 28 I6-C5 29 A6-F6 30 B6-E6 31 C6-D6 32 J6-H6 33 K6-G6 34 A7-G7 35 C7-E7 36 F7-B7 37 I7-J7 38 K7-H7 39 H8-D7 40 B8-C8 41 D8-A8 42 E8-K8 43 G8-I8 44 J8-F8 45 B9-H9 46 C9-G9 47 F9-D9 48 I9-A9 49 J9-K9 50 G10-E9 51 A10-B10 52 D10-J10 53 E10-I10 54 H10-F10 55 K10-C10 56 B11-I11 57 D11-G11 58 F11-E11 59 H11-C11 60 J11-A11 61 A12-K11 62 C12-J12 63 E12-H12 64 G12-F12 65 I12-D12 66 K12-B12 12 Teams 1 A1-K1 2 B1-J1 3 C1-I1 4 D1-H1 5 E1-G1 6 I1-F1 7 F2-E2 8 G2-D2 9 H2-C2 10 I2-B2 11 J2-A2 12 K2-L2 13 A3-I3 14 B3-H3 15 C3-G3 16 D3-F3 17 K3-J3 18 L3-E3 19 E4-D4 20 F4-C4 21 G4-B4 22 H4-A4 23 I4-K4 24 J4-L4 25 A5-G5 26 B5-F5 27 C5-E5 28 J5-I5 29 K5-H5 30 L5-D5 31 D6-C6 32 E6-B6 33 F6-A6 34 G6-K6 35 H6-J6 36 I6-L6 37 A7-E7 38 B7-D7 39 I7-H7 40 J7-G7 41 K7-F7 42 L7-C7 43 C8-B8 44 D8-A8 45 E8-K8 46 F8-J8 47 G8-I8 48 H8-L8 49 A9-C9 50 H9-G9 51 I9-F9 52 J9-E9 53 K9-D9 54 L9-B9 55 B10-A10 56 C10-K10 57 D10-J10 58 E10-I10 59 F10-H10 60 G10-L10 61 G11-F11 62 H11-E11 63 I11-D11 64 J11-C11 65 K11-B11 66 L11-A11 67 A12-L12 68 B12-K12 69 C12-J12 70 D12-I12 71 E12-H12 72 F12-G12 13 Teams 1 B1-M1 2 D1-K1 3 F1-I1 4 H1-G1 5 J1-E1 6 L1-C1 7 M2-A1 8 A2-L2 9 C2-J2 10 E2-H2 11 G2-F2 12 I2-D2 13 K2-B2 14 C3-A3 15 D3-M3 16 E3-L3 17 I3-H3 18 J3-G3 19 K3-F3 20 L4-B3 21 A4-J4 22 B4-I4 23 F4-E4 24 G4-D4 25 H4-C4 26 M4-K4 27 B5-D5 28 E5-A5 29 F5-M5 30 H5-K5 31 I5-J5 32 L5-G5 33 K6-C5 34 A6-H6 35 C6-F6 36 D6-E6 37 G6-B6 38 J6-L6 39 M6-I6 40 A7-G7 41 B7-F7 42 C7-E7 43 K7-J7 44 L7-I7 45 M7-H7 46 J8-D7 47 D8-C8 48 E8-B8 49 F8-A8 50 G8-M8 51 H8-L8 52 I8-K8 53 A9-I9 54 C9-G9 55 F9-D9 56 H9-B9 57 K9-L9 58 M9-J9 59 I10-E9 60 B10-C10 61 D10-A10 62 E10-M10 63 G10-K10 64 J10-H10 65 L10-F10 66 A11-K11 67 D11-H11 68 E11-G11 69 I11-C11 70 J11-B11 71 M11-L11 72 H12-F11 73 B12-A12 74 C12-M12 75 F12-J12 76 G12-I12 77 K12-E12 78 L12-D12

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14 Teams 1 A1-M1 2 B1-L1 3 C1-K1 4 D1-J1 5 E1-I1 6 F1-H1 7 N1-G1 8 G2-F2 9 H2-E2 10 I2-D2 11 J2-C2 12 K2-B2 13 L2-A2 14 M2-N2 15 A3-K3 16 B3-J3 17 C3-I3 18 D3-H3 19 E3-G3 20 M3-L3 21 N3-F3 22 F4-E4 23 G4-D4 24 H4-C4 25 I4-B4 26 J4-A4 27 K4-M4 28 L4-N4 29 A5-I5 30 B5-H5 31 C5-G5 32 D5-F5 33 L5-K5 34 M5-J5 35 N5-E5 36 E6-D6 37 F6-C6 38 G6-B6 39 H6-A6 40 I6-M6 41 J6-L6 42 K6-N6 43 A7-G7 44 B7-F7 45 C7-E7 46 K7-J7 47 L7-I7 48 M7-H7 49 N7-D7 50 D8-C8 51 E8-B8 52 F8-A8 53 G8-M8 54 H8-L8 55 I8-K8 56 J8-N8 57 A9-E9 58 B9-D9 59 J9-I9 60 K9-H9 61 L9-G9 62 M9-F9 63 N9-C9 64 C10-B10 65 D10-A10 66 E10-M10 67 F10-L10 68 G10-K10 69 H10-J10 70 I10-N10 71 A11-C11 72 I11-H11 73 J11-G11 74 K11-F11 75 L11-E11 76 M11-D11 77 N11-B11 78 B12-A12 79 C12-M12 80 D12-L12 81 E12-K12 82 F12-J12 83 G12-I12 84 H12-N12 85 H13-G13 86 I13-F13 87 J13-E13 88 K13-D13 89 L13-C13 90 M13-B13 91 N13-A13